The Associated Press
Thursday, May 07, 2009

NC agency puts conditions on Alcoa certification

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina's water quality division issued a certification that Alcoa Inc. needs to get a new license for its Yadkin River dams, but imposed eight conditions including a $240 million guarantee.

The state Division of Water Quality said Thursday the conditions are necessary to ensure that Alcoa will protect environmental standards if it receives a new license allowing it to keep running its four dams for up to 50 years.

The agency said Alcoa must provide a $240 million surety bond to make sure upgrades to the electric-generating turbines will improve dissolved oxygen levels in the discharged water.

Another condition would allow the agency to modify its certification if water quality problems develop in the future.

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